Esben and the Witch are a new(ish) three-piece band from Brighton slowly accumulating hype amid the blogosphere. They named themselves after a Danish fairy story and there is plenty of susurrus about their wiccan tendencies. Their music is difficult to categorise: a blend of ambient shimmers, Portishead-influenced indie rock, and Bjork-like glitch, it is ethereal, spooky and often quite breathtakingly good. Currently preparing to tour across the UK with the Big Pink in May, Esben and the Witch has released a new seven-inch single, which includes the stunning “Lucia, at the Precipice”. Here is its eerie video, black and white and jarring and ghostly. This is “nightmare pop”, but I truly mean that in the most complimentary way possible.
For full UK tour details, head to the Esben and the Witch myspace, here.
